RCIA Retreat Environment / Decorations

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Hello,

I’m working on my first retreat and have been assigned to come up with ideas to enhance the ‘environment’ of our retreat through sounds, scents, decorations etc. The purpose of the retreat is to assist the inquirer in assessing if they’re ready to take the next step in his/her spiritual journey, which begins with the Rite of Welcome.

If you have ideas or have experienced something really nice during a retreat, please share your thoughts. I myself just finished RCIA at the last vigil, so this is all new to me. I’ve only attended three retreats in my new Catholic life, so I don’t have a lot of experience to build on.

Thanks so very much! Christina
 
=cnswift;8389449]Hello,
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I’m working on my first retreat and have been assigned to come up with ideas to enhance the ‘environment’ of our retreat through sounds, scents, decorations etc. The purpose of the retreat is to assist the inquirer in assessing if they’re ready to take the next step in his/her spiritual journey, which begins with the Rite of Welcome.
Click to expand...
If you have ideas or have experienced something really nice during a retreat, please share your thoughts. I myself just finished RCIA at the last vigil, so this is all new to me. I’ve only attended three retreats in my new Catholic life, so I don’t have a lot of experience to build on.
Click to expand...
Thanks so very much! Christina
Click to expand...
The MOST effective retreats do not rely on decorations per sae. The site ideally is different than the one for reqular classes. A Chapel is GREAT! The focus of all that takes place is to be God-Centered. So a Crucuifix, a Bible, Holy Water, Imageas of MAry and the Saints can all have a role.

The other key is the Reatreat Master and how they lead, allow time for reflection and GUIDE with extreme charity; the flow of events, talks, discussion and Q & A… Be sure not to ask for committments without FIRST answering ALL remaining outstanding questions. Maybe submitted in writtrn form so as not to embarass anyone!

Conserative / TRADITIOANL Music is great background for refection and quiet times time; playes softly.

The reatreat should define its purpose at the outset; and then provide a list of major reason One COULD consider in making this choice; AS WELL as clearly, leaving room for those who may not yet have a “Complete Call from God.” Here’s Why I AM a Catholic is a great way to begin: We are The Bible Church; Thee holder of the KEys to heaven; thee True Sacramental Church [beiefly define them and why they are important]; Thee ONLY Church founded by God Himself. and the Bible clearly denotes that God: Yahweh and Christ have always desired Only One God; One set of faith beliefs and Only One Church.

Welcome Home and THANKS for your Ministry!

God Bless,
Pat
 
A nice CD of chant, set low as background music, can be very helpful.
 
I don’t know if setting up an adoration chapel for the Blessed Sacrament could also help. 🤷
 
These are great suggestions, thank you! Keep them coming; I’m making a list to present to the team. 👍
 
We have done retreats with several different prayer areas so that people could find the one that was the most appropriate for them.

One room is set up with several large icons. We have either Taize chant or Gregorian chant playing softly in the background. A second area has simple decorations along with candles and incense. A third area has similar simple decorations on a large table that people can use if they want to journal or draw. A fourth area is a garden outside. And the fifth area is the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

By simple decorations I mean things like a bible, crucifix, plants, rocks, fabric, etc.

When the talks are finishing one of the retreat leaders goes to one room and turn on the music while another lights the candles and the charcoal for the incense in another area.

People seem especially drawn to the incense area and the chant area.
 
My suggestion would be to forget the set up and concentrate on getting a reputable retreat master. Then follow the instructions they offer. Many times the only requirements are for a somewhat quiet location and access to the Church for individual prayer, maybe access to outside for quiet contemplation, and food, if the retreat lasts for more than four hours.

Other prep is really extra, and will not affect the retreatant’s participation as much as the quality of the retreat leader.

Use retreat masters who are experienced, and go look up references for sure. There is an order of nuns who specialize in retreats and spiritual direction, yet charge almost nothing to do a retreat at your location (at least offer them gas money). They are called Cenacle Sisters, and you can google their web-site for contacts and locations. We used them multiple times, with overwhelming response from the retreatants. We also used a deacon who was a master story-teller for a half-day retreat…even the priests from surrounding parishes came to hear him.
 
Thank you for your suggestion as to the content of the retreat. The retreat is led by our Deacon whom is the coordinator of RCIA - we’re very fortunate to have a very talented and inspiring teacher and mentor.

I’m not actually involved with the content of the retreat, as my portion was to enhance the environment that they felt was a little flat in prior years.
 
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